WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.540 --> 00:00:16.260 Turn with me, if you will, this morning to Luke 18. 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:23.000 It's on page 877, the Bible in the pew in front of you. 00:00:24.320 --> 00:00:28.420 It's been nearly four months since I said turn to Luke. 00:00:28.420 --> 00:00:35.539 But now we're hitting the home stretch of Luke's gospel as we've been studying through it. 00:00:35.679 --> 00:00:44.700 We're in the fourth quarter, so to speak, which reminds me, two years ago when we started, 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:46.760 I brought a football. 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:53.180 And we started out where Vince Lombardi does every year with his team. 00:00:53.540 --> 00:00:56.579 Ladies and gentlemen, this is a football. 00:00:56.579 --> 00:00:59.659 It's the first priority. 00:01:00.299 --> 00:01:04.640 The thing you've got to focus on if we're going to do anything together this year. 00:01:05.219 --> 00:01:08.200 And Luke does that in his gospel. 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:13.759 He's writing to Theophilus and he's saying to him, this is Jesus. 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:18.060 He's the one you have to focus on. 00:01:18.319 --> 00:01:20.359 He's the first priority. 00:01:20.359 --> 00:01:24.040 He must be the center of attention. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:26.159 The one that it's all about. 00:01:26.739 --> 00:01:28.939 We must do that, we've said. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:35.140 Even in the last few weeks, we've said we must be unapologetically Christ-centered as a church. 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:39.859 As we pray for God to transform us and our community. 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:43.260 And you can do that anywhere in God's word, of course, right? 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:44.900 It's all about Jesus. 00:01:46.060 --> 00:01:51.900 But in particular, that's my heart as we come back to finish the gospel of Luke. 00:01:52.700 --> 00:02:03.200 We've said Luke is the historical, paradoxical, upside-down, life-changing, true story of Jesus. 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:09.199 And as we've gone through it, we've seen, just to review a little bit and catch us all up, 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:16.000 Jesus announced by angels to shepherds as good news of great joy for all people. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:18.140 Now, that's who he is. 00:02:18.640 --> 00:02:24.840 Jesus is good news and brings a message of good news all through the gospel of Luke. 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:28.480 And he does it for all sorts of people. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:31.539 Particularly many you wouldn't perhaps expect. 00:02:31.539 --> 00:02:40.579 We see the king himself engaging not merely shepherds, but many other social and religious outcasts of his day. 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:47.120 Valuing women, including Gentiles, loving enemies. 00:02:47.899 --> 00:02:51.680 We see him healing the sick, the possessed, even the dead. 00:02:52.340 --> 00:02:58.219 Quite a king, powerful and merciful in his actions. 00:02:58.219 --> 00:03:03.659 Authoritative and humble in his words. 00:03:04.560 --> 00:03:09.219 This is the Jesus that Luke wants his readers to get a taste of. 00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:12.460 He's unlike anyone else they've ever known, Luke is saying. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:18.759 And now, we're headed to the most important part of the whole story. 00:03:18.759 --> 00:03:27.120 Jesus has been telling us for several chapters now that what must happen, what has to happen, he must go to the cross. 00:03:28.219 --> 00:03:32.479 Suffer and be rejected and be killed and then rise from the dead. 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:37.060 And Jesus is laser focused on this ultimate mission, isn't he? 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:39.739 He sets a course for Jerusalem. 00:03:40.219 --> 00:03:43.979 Fixes his gaze on his sacrificial death in our place. 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:46.379 And he won't be deterred from it. 00:03:46.459 --> 00:03:49.139 Priority number one, Jesus says. 00:03:49.739 --> 00:03:52.739 All the value systems he's turned upside down. 00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:56.579 All the undeserving outsiders he's welcomed in. 00:03:56.959 --> 00:03:59.560 All the remarkable things he's done and said. 00:03:59.879 --> 00:04:05.620 All of them hinge on his sacrificial death in the place of sinners. 00:04:06.019 --> 00:04:09.239 And his living again to offer them new life. 00:04:10.439 --> 00:04:12.719 That's his first priority. 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:14.780 That's the real good news. 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:18.000 That's the only way to this new community. 00:04:18.199 --> 00:04:22.220 This transformed society that he's been offering. 00:04:22.759 --> 00:04:25.199 It's through his death and resurrection. 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:27.600 And soon we're going to be there. 00:04:28.180 --> 00:04:33.220 And actually read the accounts of what happens at the cross in the empty tomb. 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:38.899 But even now, every story we read is in that context. 00:04:38.899 --> 00:04:41.299 In the shadow of the cross. 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:44.459 And that great task before Jesus. 00:04:45.779 --> 00:04:49.819 Just in the next couple of chapters, Jesus is going to encounter Zacchaeus. 00:04:50.019 --> 00:04:50.739 You may have heard of him. 00:04:51.359 --> 00:04:52.339 Little children. 00:04:52.539 --> 00:04:53.639 A blind beggar. 00:04:54.139 --> 00:04:58.419 There's lots of really good stuff coming up even before we get to the cross. 00:04:59.019 --> 00:05:02.039 But he's ultimately heading for Jerusalem right now. 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:04.339 For a cross and an empty tomb. 00:05:04.339 --> 00:05:11.219 Just where we left off a few months ago, King Jesus has been teaching us about his kingdom. 00:05:11.619 --> 00:05:14.359 Particularly in light of eternal matters. 00:05:14.659 --> 00:05:16.259 Pushing our hearts towards eternity. 00:05:16.479 --> 00:05:20.659 Toward living today with our lives shaped by eternal values. 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.259 This morning we'll look just at one parable. 00:05:23.979 --> 00:05:26.519 To help our hearts as we follow him. 00:05:26.579 --> 00:05:28.879 Or consider following him. 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:32.060 It's Luke 18 at verse 1. 00:05:33.100 --> 00:05:34.860 This is God's holy word. 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:43.879 Given so that we might know with certainty about Jesus and the hope that he gives. 00:05:45.579 --> 00:05:52.019 Jesus told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:53.500 He said, 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:57.819 But in a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 00:05:58.459 --> 00:06:01.680 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 00:06:02.120 --> 00:06:04.259 Give me justice against my adversary. 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:07.139 For a while he refused. 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:09.139 But afterward he said to himself, 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:11.920 Though I neither fear God nor respect man. 00:06:12.600 --> 00:06:15.199 Yet because this widow keeps bothering me. 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:16.959 I will give her justice. 00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:20.480 So that she will not beat me down by her continual coming. 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:23.120 And the Lord said, 00:06:24.020 --> 00:06:26.300 Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 00:06:27.340 --> 00:06:32.140 And will not God give justice to his elect who cry to him day and night? 00:06:32.400 --> 00:06:34.540 Will he delay long over them? 00:06:34.939 --> 00:06:38.580 I tell you he will give them justice speedily. 00:06:39.960 --> 00:06:42.040 Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, 00:06:42.640 --> 00:06:45.020 Will he find faith on earth? 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:48.220 Let's pray together as we look at God's word. 00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:53.680 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:57.140 And for this story in particular. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:02.080 We ask that you'd speak to us this morning. 00:07:02.840 --> 00:07:04.040 Father, you know me. 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:07.120 I'm a guy who loves to pray. 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:10.840 I'm a guy who struggles to pray. 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:13.660 And I feel that. 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:16.460 And we feel that. 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:25.659 We long to come to you and lay our hearts out before you and live dependently on you. 00:07:25.859 --> 00:07:30.359 And we love it in those moments where it happens. 00:07:30.539 --> 00:07:33.060 But we also struggle against it. 00:07:33.159 --> 00:07:34.579 And so we ask for your help. 00:07:35.740 --> 00:07:37.419 Would you teach us this morning? 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:39.899 And Father, much more than teaching us. 00:07:39.899 --> 00:07:42.620 There's not a lot of new information in this story. 00:07:42.979 --> 00:07:44.199 We need you to change us. 00:07:45.039 --> 00:07:48.219 We need your word by your spirit to shape our hearts. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:51.199 To mold us and turn us back to you. 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:54.419 So would you do that as we know you love to. 00:07:54.979 --> 00:07:56.439 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:07:56.439 --> 00:08:04.920 Imagine for a minute this morning that you're a child who gets to go on a camping trip with your family. 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:06.519 Those are always very fun, right? 00:08:06.660 --> 00:08:08.720 And you've gotten everything set up. 00:08:08.920 --> 00:08:10.839 And it's kind of early in the afternoon. 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:13.500 And you decide to go out wandering a little bit. 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:16.139 Just kind of looking around, exploring the woods. 00:08:16.420 --> 00:08:20.860 And you look up a few minutes later and realize you're not sure where you are. 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:22.300 You're actually lost. 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:30.199 Maybe some of you have experienced that it is terrifying for the child and for the parent, isn't it? 00:08:31.400 --> 00:08:33.419 It's a scary experience. 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:38.580 And here you are calling out over and over for mom and dad. 00:08:38.759 --> 00:08:41.600 But you don't hear any answer. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:43.639 No one shows up. 00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:46.480 I mean, you think you know the way back, right? 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:47.480 You hadn't gone too far. 00:08:47.539 --> 00:08:49.980 So you just keep walking and walking and walking. 00:08:49.980 --> 00:08:57.700 And then after what feels like forever, maybe just a few minutes, you walk by that same tree again. 00:08:58.120 --> 00:09:03.879 It's that one you remember seeing with the funny roots that you laughed about when you went by. 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:05.600 They looked so strange. 00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:07.720 And you think, oh no. 00:09:08.519 --> 00:09:09.800 I'm walking in circles. 00:09:10.180 --> 00:09:11.340 Your heart just sinks. 00:09:12.720 --> 00:09:14.000 You're completely turned around. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:15.920 You cry out again and again. 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:18.679 And no answer. 00:09:19.899 --> 00:09:22.779 The sun is beginning to set now. 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:25.259 And you come by that same tree the third time. 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:28.139 Darkness is settling in. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:32.899 And you know there's no way you're going to figure out which way you're supposed to be going. 00:09:33.319 --> 00:09:38.179 And so for the last time, you cry out a couple more last gasps. 00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:41.000 And no answer. 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:43.719 Nobody responds. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:51.080 You sit down by this familiar tree with the strange roots and you just start crying. 00:09:52.379 --> 00:09:55.040 You were hopeful when you started out. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:57.440 Sure, that you could find your way back. 00:09:58.279 --> 00:10:06.600 But now you're worn down from trying everything you know to do and calling for help with no answer. 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:10.340 You've lost heart and given up, right? 00:10:10.340 --> 00:10:13.700 Most of us know that feeling, don't we? 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:20.379 Maybe you've lost heart, not in the woods, perhaps, but in your life. 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:27.960 In your profound grief over the loss of a relationship or a loved one. 00:10:28.019 --> 00:10:30.139 And you just feel like there's no way forward. 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:38.799 As you struggle with depression, even the counselor and the meds that you found so helpful to you, 00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:41.919 they're not seeming to do anything anymore. 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:47.059 And they can't lift that darkness that seems to be just settling in oppressively. 00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:55.839 Maybe in the pain of seeing your children struggle and things not seeming to get any better, 00:10:55.919 --> 00:10:59.360 even though you've been crying out to God about it over and over. 00:10:59.439 --> 00:11:01.539 But here you are at the same place again. 00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:05.360 It's that familiar tree and you're running out of words. 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:08.539 You're losing heart. 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:14.759 Losing heart, giving up hope, feeling alone. 00:11:15.440 --> 00:11:19.500 That's one reason we stop praying sometimes, isn't it? 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:26.860 We talked a few weeks ago about the fact that we typically don't pray because we don't feel like we need to. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:34.720 And painfully, we admitted, and at least I did and suggested, maybe you should, 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:41.840 that a lot of times we don't feel that need because we're not actually on God's mission that we really need Him for. 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:45.759 We're just about what we want, and so we don't really need to pray. 00:11:46.580 --> 00:11:50.539 Well, in this passage, Jesus is urging us to pray. 00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:53.659 In fact, to keep praying. 00:11:53.659 --> 00:12:02.079 But He's addressing our tendency, even when we do pray, to lose heart. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:05.279 We know we have a need. 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:07.480 We've been willing to acknowledge that. 00:12:07.639 --> 00:12:10.659 But we feel we're not getting any answer, any help. 00:12:10.959 --> 00:12:12.539 Prayer is simply not helping. 00:12:13.959 --> 00:12:20.600 I feel my words don't get above the ceiling like I get an out-of-office auto-reply from God 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:22.639 when I send Him a message. 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:25.120 Have you ever felt that? 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:27.860 Have you ever lost heart that way? 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:33.319 Have you ever thought, why keep praying when it doesn't seem to be helping? 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:36.740 I've felt that way. 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:41.839 I think any of us who've ever prayed have felt that way at some point, right? 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:47.299 I just don't see how this is fixing what I'm talking about. 00:12:47.299 --> 00:12:58.219 Maybe God's people awaiting the promised deliverer, the Messiah, for hundreds of years and not seeing it happen felt that. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:05.079 Maybe we, as we long for His second coming and for Him to make all things right the way He promised, 00:13:05.199 --> 00:13:08.120 maybe we feel that same thing. 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:18.519 One of my very favorite parts of this whole passage is that Jesus understands that losing heart. 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:22.519 This passage doesn't say, and this is what you might expect, 00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:23.659 it doesn't say, 00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:29.719 Jesus heard that His disciples sometimes lost heart and quit praying, even fell asleep. 00:13:30.459 --> 00:13:34.159 So He scolded them and said, don't ever lose heart again. 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.059 Is that what we read? 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:38.039 No. 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:46.620 Jesus, knowing that we would face difficulty and struggles and our own weaknesses, 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:52.659 knowing we would be tempted to give up hope, to quit praying, to lose heart, 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:58.519 says, let me tell you a story to encourage your faith. 00:13:59.719 --> 00:14:00.480 Isn't that so good? 00:14:01.059 --> 00:14:03.039 Aren't you thankful that He's like that? 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:07.959 Jesus tells us very clearly up front what the point of the parable is, doesn't He? 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:09.839 Verse 1, 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:15.480 He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:17.500 Bible study tip for the week. 00:14:17.819 --> 00:14:20.299 When you're trying to understand a parable, 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:24.759 and the Bible tells you specifically what it means in one verse, 00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:27.279 start there with what the parable might mean. 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:29.259 This is what the parable means. 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.919 It's why Jesus told it, 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:33.299 we should always pray. 00:14:33.459 --> 00:14:34.679 We should keep praying. 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:36.759 We should not lose heart. 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:41.360 And then what Jesus does is He motivates that prayer, 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:43.159 not by merely telling, 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:46.139 not by scolding, 00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:53.779 but as He often does by reminding us of who God is. 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:59.579 He did this earlier in Luke when He was talking about the Lord's Prayer. 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:04.319 He told His disciples that prayer is all about relationship. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:09.120 Why should we keep praying when nothing seems to get any better? 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.360 Doesn't make sense, right? 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:18.940 The heart of prayer is driven not by results we can count on. 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:21.880 Results we can count. 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:22.420 Excuse me. 00:15:22.420 --> 00:15:24.040 Yeah, so you write something that's so cute, 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:25.320 and then you don't say it the right way. 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:28.180 Not by results we can count, 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:30.860 but by relationship we can count on. 00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:35.120 Prayer is driven by relationship, 00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:39.400 not by these immediate, tangible results. 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:41.720 I actually wrote that down for me. 00:15:43.159 --> 00:15:44.939 Because I love efficiency. 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:48.279 I love getting things done. 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.600 Seeing results. 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:54.620 I need to see something come from how I'm spending my time. 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:59.419 And God keeps reminding me lately that I need Him. 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:02.199 Relationship. 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:06.379 Way more, by the way, than He needs my advice and my prayers 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.840 on how things should be going. 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:11.779 Which I think I kind of feel that way sometimes. 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:14.220 If He'd just listened to me long enough, 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.840 He'd know what should happen next. 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:21.340 He loves to hear my heart. 00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:24.279 And as I slow down to listen to Him, 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:26.080 He loves to shape it to His 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:28.840 and to trust Him where I can't see 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:31.399 and where I don't know what's best. 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:36.179 Jesus teaches His disciples to pray in Luke 11 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:39.979 by reminding them about the Father they pray to. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:42.559 That He is infinitely more eager 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:44.599 to give good gifts to them 00:16:44.599 --> 00:16:47.399 even than earthly fathers are to their children. 00:16:47.459 --> 00:16:48.379 You remember how He says it? 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:49.579 Luke 11, 13. 00:16:50.099 --> 00:16:51.639 If you then who are evil 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:54.019 know how to give good gifts to your children, 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:57.399 how much more will the heavenly Father 00:16:57.399 --> 00:17:01.059 give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? 00:17:02.479 --> 00:17:03.899 This is who God is. 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.500 That's why you should pray. 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:09.060 I love Paul Miller's illustration of this. 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:11.519 He says that fixing prayer 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:14.019 by just focusing on prayer 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:16.840 and saying pray more and try harder to pray 00:17:16.840 --> 00:17:20.640 is like driving while looking at the windshield. 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.660 If you've never tried this before, 00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.039 don't try it at home. 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:25.120 This is dangerous. 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:28.560 You don't drive by looking at the windshield. 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:31.899 You drive by looking through the windshield 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:35.700 to the other cars and people and objects 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:37.279 that are around you, right? 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:39.700 When we are losing heart, 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:43.539 when darkness is closing in, 00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:46.759 we must look through the windshield of prayer 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:50.619 to the God who hears and answers prayer, 00:17:50.679 --> 00:17:52.399 the one we're talking to. 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:55.620 So that's how Jesus teaches us to pray. 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:59.160 Again, by teaching us about God. 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.240 That's what the story's about. 00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:05.180 He does it through a study in contrasts here. 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:08.019 This simple parable features two people. 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:13.200 The needy widow with no legal standing, 00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:15.480 no one to help her make her case, 00:18:15.580 --> 00:18:17.500 no money to bribe the judge, 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:21.039 and the unjust judge, 00:18:21.340 --> 00:18:24.180 who neither fears God nor cares about people, 00:18:24.380 --> 00:18:27.060 except he does care about himself, doesn't he? 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:29.539 He doesn't like to be bothered. 00:18:32.419 --> 00:18:37.240 This widow is so persistent in pleading with him. 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.700 She's calling for justice, 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:42.859 and he says she's near to beating him down. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:45.359 The phrase means to give him a black eye. 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:49.179 So likely figurative talk, 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:51.859 but nonetheless, he's tired of this, right? 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:55.079 I won't belabor the story 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:56.839 because I think you get it. 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:59.460 But when I first heard it, 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:01.500 I thought of this parable as a comparison, 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:06.339 that this is the way that I'm supposed to pray then. 00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:10.179 If I just persist long enough in prayer, 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:13.179 eventually God will be bothered enough 00:19:13.179 --> 00:19:16.139 to relent and give me what I'm asking for. 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.339 What a great strategy. 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:19.399 I always wondered how to get what I wanted. 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.359 If you're a parent, 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:25.740 don't act like that explanation doesn't make sense. 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:27.019 You've done that. 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.940 You've done that too, haven't you? 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:29.720 You've been worn down before 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:31.460 and given in. 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:34.619 And that would be one way to motivate us 00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:36.059 to persist in prayer. 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:38.639 Keep praying because eventually 00:19:38.639 --> 00:19:40.659 God might get so tired of you 00:19:40.659 --> 00:19:42.720 that he will give in to your demands. 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.539 Friends, listen. 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:48.159 I know it sounds like that. 00:19:48.419 --> 00:19:50.879 This is actually much, much better than that. 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.819 This parable means something 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:54.359 much greater than that. 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:57.319 It's one of many places where Jesus is making an argument 00:19:57.319 --> 00:20:00.459 from the lesser to the greater. 00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:03.479 This is one of those how much more passages. 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:05.879 Let me just show it to you visually. 00:20:06.479 --> 00:20:10.740 If the unrighteous judge, right, in the story, 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:12.619 if he hears the cry of a widow 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:16.059 with no standing or relationship before him 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:19.099 and he feels bothered and beaten down, 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:20.759 but what happens? 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:24.940 He begrudgingly responds and defends her cause. 00:20:25.179 --> 00:20:26.220 She gets results. 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:28.220 She gets what she's asking for. 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:30.159 If that happens here, 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:35.139 how much more will the righteous God, 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:38.720 who hears the cry of his children, 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:42.659 whom he gave both standing and relationship, 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:46.920 when he feels deep love and compassion, 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:50.820 how much more will he eagerly respond 00:20:50.820 --> 00:20:52.620 and defend their cause? 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:55.860 That's the whole point of this parable, right? 00:20:56.320 --> 00:20:59.860 He's that much better, that much greater. 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:02.519 That's the God to whom we pray. 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.820 That's what he's like. 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:06.580 He always hears and helps. 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:09.800 We see it throughout the Bible, don't we? 00:21:09.799 --> 00:21:13.319 Over and over again, if you read through God's Word, 00:21:13.399 --> 00:21:14.480 you'll see God hears. 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:15.700 The Lord heard. 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.659 And then something happened. 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:20.359 He heard his people in Egypt when they cried out 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:21.220 and he delivered them. 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.980 He heard the prayers of Hannah 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:27.500 longing for a child who would serve God. 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:30.879 He heard Hezekiah we just saw a couple weeks ago 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:32.279 as Ron was preaching 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:34.419 and he healed his people. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:38.220 He heard the psalmist over and over. 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:41.620 He inclined and heard my cry. 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:45.240 He heard Daniel in the lion's den, 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:47.700 Jonah in the belly of a whale. 00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:51.120 The early church gathered around desperate, 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:54.740 crying out to him at the end of all hope, 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:58.059 suffering under persecution and losing heart. 00:21:58.059 --> 00:22:01.740 Lord, you can never go anywhere 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:04.740 or be in darkness thick enough 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:08.720 that he can't hear and where he can't help. 00:22:09.179 --> 00:22:09.799 Try him. 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:15.039 This parable is not a threat from Jesus 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:18.539 that if you don't keep praying long enough, 00:22:18.659 --> 00:22:19.779 God will never listen. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:24.619 No, rather, it's an encouragement 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:27.379 toward how confident you can be 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:29.220 that you are heard. 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:31.440 Who hears? 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.319 What's he like? 00:22:34.639 --> 00:22:37.099 Really briefly, three things. 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:39.720 He's a just judge. 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:43.880 In contrast to the unrighteous judge 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:46.380 who apparently doesn't care about people's plights 00:22:46.380 --> 00:22:48.420 or even doing what's right, 00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:51.660 God judges justly. 00:22:52.100 --> 00:22:53.160 Verse seven, 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:56.460 will not God give justice to his elect 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:58.100 who cry to him day and night? 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:00.019 Will he delay long over them? 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:03.980 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:07.660 Will not God give justice? 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:11.820 Yes, he will give justice speedily, 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:14.060 swiftly, and surely, 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.620 albeit in his time. 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.860 And unlike the righteous judge, 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:20.680 he does care about people, right? 00:23:21.340 --> 00:23:23.940 Not to find the ones who have money to bribe 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:26.259 or status to leverage, 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:32.120 but actually to pursue justice for those who don't. 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.380 That's his heart. 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.980 We sang it earlier, didn't we? 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:37.980 The defender of the weak. 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:41.799 He comforts those in need. 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:45.599 Psalm 146 gives all sorts of examples. 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:47.539 He executes justice for the oppressed, 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.980 gives food to the hungry, 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:50.259 sets prisoners free, 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:52.059 opens the eyes of the blind, 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:54.099 lifts up those who are bowed down. 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.599 He loves the righteous. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:58.079 He watches over the sojourners, 00:23:58.259 --> 00:24:01.099 upholds the widow and the fatherless. 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:03.519 This is what our God is like. 00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:06.179 Will not the judge of all the earth do right? 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.719 Yes. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:09.480 He certainly will. 00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.579 That's who he is. 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:13.179 Revelation pictures over and over 00:24:13.179 --> 00:24:15.279 his justice crashing in 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:16.819 to rescue his people 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:19.559 and to right all wrongs once and for all. 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:22.319 That's who hears when you pray. 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:26.859 On top of being the just judge, 00:24:26.939 --> 00:24:28.879 he's the wise sovereign. 00:24:30.419 --> 00:24:32.539 We see this in verse 7 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:34.879 as the appeal is made to God 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:38.659 as one who has the ultimate capability to help. 00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:40.019 He's deciding. 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.259 Will he wait? 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:42.139 What will he do? 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:45.220 He's making decisions about his elect, 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.279 ones he has chosen. 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.819 He's the one in charge. 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:51.500 The one who hears your prayers 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:53.799 knows everything. 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:56.539 So he knows what's best 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:58.559 and best for you. 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:04.179 It just doesn't seem like justice is coming. 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:06.519 Sometimes we pray 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:09.099 and the prayer seems unanswered, right? 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:11.319 Sometimes we pray repeatedly 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:13.099 and nothing's helping. 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.980 Years and years of praying 00:25:14.980 --> 00:25:17.000 and nothing seems to change. 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:20.259 But God does hear. 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.880 And the God who hears 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:25.940 is one whose sovereign wisdom 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:28.900 you can absolutely trust. 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:32.380 Tim Keller says it this way, 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:35.440 God will either give us what we ask 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:38.460 or give us what we would have asked 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:41.579 if we knew everything he knew. 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:45.119 Boy, am I thankful for his answering 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:46.919 some of my prayers 00:25:46.919 --> 00:25:49.779 way better than what I knew 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:51.199 how to pray for at the time? 00:25:51.459 --> 00:25:52.459 Can you look back at your life 00:25:52.459 --> 00:25:53.059 and say that? 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:57.179 Better than I liked the answer I got 00:25:57.179 --> 00:25:59.699 or the way things seemed to be playing out 00:25:59.699 --> 00:26:01.000 when I prayed them. 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:03.219 Even the ones that made a lot of sense 00:26:03.219 --> 00:26:05.779 that I thought God really should understand 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:07.659 and you probably should do this one, God. 00:26:07.879 --> 00:26:09.000 I've got good reasons. 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:13.019 Have you not seen 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:16.339 how all your longings have been granted 00:26:16.339 --> 00:26:19.960 in what he ordaineth? 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.480 Don't you want the person 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:26.660 making the decisions for your life 00:26:26.660 --> 00:26:29.279 to be the one who knows everything? 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.539 Your past? 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.279 Your future? 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.720 How it all fits together? 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:37.980 What actually works best for you 00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:38.759 because he knows you 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:39.720 and he made you? 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.259 Even that, though, 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:46.779 might leave us wondering. 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:50.600 This is what I was wrestling with this week. 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:52.019 That's great, Will. 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:54.360 He's just and he's fair 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.539 and he knows everything. 00:26:58.660 --> 00:27:01.160 Will, that doesn't encourage me. 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:04.200 Now I'm really losing heart. 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:06.380 He'll never listen to me. 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.519 Don't you know I'm the one 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:10.500 who got myself into this mess? 00:27:11.080 --> 00:27:13.100 I don't have a just cause 00:27:13.100 --> 00:27:14.880 like the widow to plead. 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:18.440 Feel a little bit of that? 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:23.480 Y'all, this is why we need Jesus. 00:27:24.840 --> 00:27:26.580 This is where he comes in. 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:28.140 This is where it gets so exciting. 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:30.940 As you come to God through Jesus, 00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:34.019 trusting what Jesus has done, 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:37.019 not how well you have performed, 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:39.139 you are crying out 00:27:39.139 --> 00:27:42.059 to your loving Father. 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:44.599 He's not just a just judge 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:45.839 and a wise sovereign. 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.720 He's your loving Father. 00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:49.220 Remember, prayer is driven 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:50.759 by relationship. 00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:54.180 Not a distant judge 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:55.940 or a king far off 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:56.859 who's never met you, 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:59.660 but your beloved Father 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.759 who hears. 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:05.380 See, if you cry to him, 00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:07.820 it's because he came 00:28:07.820 --> 00:28:09.640 calling out to you first. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.700 That's what verse 7 means. 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:13.660 Will not God give justice 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:15.460 to his elect 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:18.380 who cry to him day and night? 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:20.000 It was never about 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.019 what you deserved. 00:28:21.820 --> 00:28:23.200 When he rescued you 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:24.060 the first time, 00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:25.080 it wasn't because 00:28:25.080 --> 00:28:26.480 you were good enough 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.920 that you finally got 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.700 his attention 00:28:28.700 --> 00:28:29.960 and made him think 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:31.500 you deserved his help. 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:34.339 It was because he loved you. 00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:36.599 He chose you 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:39.400 to have this special relationship. 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:41.079 So, of course, 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:43.240 he longs to hear your needs 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:45.000 and to defend your cause. 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:46.420 He's your Father. 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.839 And he wanted to be 00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:50.279 and he wants to be. 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:54.200 It's not always like this for me. 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.619 I told you earlier, 00:28:57.139 --> 00:28:58.160 at least prayed about it. 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:59.639 I struggle with prayer 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.500 a lot of times. 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:02.259 Especially when it doesn't 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:04.220 seem to be going 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.379 exactly the way I want 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.759 within about 30 seconds 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:08.119 after the amen. 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.579 I need patience. 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:12.839 But in the past several weeks, 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:14.299 God in his kindness 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:16.420 has given me several instances, 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.759 some big, some small, 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:19.899 where he's actually allowed me 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:22.200 to see him answer my prayers 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:23.480 so quickly and directly. 00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:25.100 I've gotten to see it. 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.060 He's always doing that. 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:28.980 I just usually don't get to see it. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.600 And so a couple of people 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:32.180 who've witnessed this with me 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:33.300 have joked with me 00:29:33.300 --> 00:29:34.600 that they need to get me 00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:36.000 to pray for them more often. 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:38.160 Boy, that really helped, Pastor. 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:40.400 And we laugh that off. 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.680 And ha, ha, ha. 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.560 Because we all know here 00:29:43.560 --> 00:29:44.940 that I'm not any better prayer 00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.680 or any more holy 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.540 than any of you. 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:48.160 And so it's easy to laugh off. 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:49.200 But actually, it's important 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.580 to do more than laugh it off. 00:29:52.040 --> 00:29:53.759 What's been so good for my heart 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.120 is to say, 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:55.480 no, this is a chance to remember 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:57.040 not that God listens to pastors. 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:01.080 God listens to his children. 00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:03.360 I just happen to be one of them 00:30:03.360 --> 00:30:03.920 in that moment. 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:05.519 He listens to you. 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.640 He hears you. 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:10.320 He loves to answer his children, 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.560 me and you. 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:13.779 He loves to hear 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:15.599 our desperate cries 00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:18.579 and to come to our aid. 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.700 Several years ago, 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.559 I read the story 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:24.500 of a 16-year-old girl. 00:30:24.679 --> 00:30:26.480 She was walking through town 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.639 to meet up with her father 00:30:27.639 --> 00:30:28.339 for something. 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:30.379 And she was attacked 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:31.859 by three young men 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:33.279 who jumped out 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.759 and they hit her. 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.399 They grabbed her. 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.759 They threw her to the ground. 00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:39.579 They were beating her up 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:41.500 and they were ganging up on her. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:44.759 And she cried out 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:46.679 and screamed for help. 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:49.439 Her father, still at a distance, 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:51.439 heard these cries 00:30:51.439 --> 00:30:52.639 coming from the distance 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.819 and he recognized 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:55.240 the voice of his daughter. 00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:57.559 And he went running, 00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:58.859 running, 00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:00.480 following the sound of her voice 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.399 to where she was, 00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:03.519 chased the young man off 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:05.920 and was able to spare her 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:08.420 from much worse abuse. 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:11.559 Now we'd like to think 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:13.200 that this was a really great guy 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:14.859 and that he would have responded 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:16.339 like that to any cry 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:17.400 that he heard, right? 00:31:17.619 --> 00:31:18.559 Hopefully he did. 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:20.220 Hopefully you or I would. 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.619 But can you imagine 00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:23.440 for a second? 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:25.379 Put yourself in his shoes. 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.740 Can you imagine 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.859 how he ran 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.859 toward the cries 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:30.539 of his daughter? 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:33.839 How quickly 00:31:33.839 --> 00:31:35.240 did daddy run? 00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:38.279 How committed 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:38.980 was he 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:40.019 when he got there 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:41.240 to rescuing her? 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.059 What do you think? 00:31:42.879 --> 00:31:43.359 A little bit? 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:48.019 Will not God 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:49.220 give justice 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:51.579 to his elect, 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:53.920 his dearly 00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.980 loved 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:56.059 children? 00:31:56.059 --> 00:32:00.339 This is the prayer 00:32:00.339 --> 00:32:00.819 hearing, 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:01.500 answering 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.440 God 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:03.819 you can trust. 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:05.579 Nevertheless, 00:32:05.859 --> 00:32:06.720 when the Son of Man 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:07.119 comes, 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:07.980 will he find 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.779 faith 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.859 on earth? 00:32:10.119 --> 00:32:11.319 He's inviting 00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:11.940 us 00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:13.339 to trust. 00:32:14.659 --> 00:32:15.740 We cry out 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.279 to him. 00:32:17.159 --> 00:32:17.619 Keep 00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:18.659 praying 00:32:18.659 --> 00:32:19.339 to him. 00:32:19.659 --> 00:32:20.419 Even as our 00:32:20.419 --> 00:32:21.159 hearts 00:32:21.159 --> 00:32:21.960 fade, 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:22.859 even as it 00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:24.179 feels like 00:32:24.179 --> 00:32:25.039 he's not 00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:25.419 helping 00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:26.279 and no one 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:26.759 is helping 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.180 and there's 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.200 no hope 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:28.980 and we 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.700 trust 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.539 that he 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.180 holds 00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:31.580 on 00:32:31.580 --> 00:32:32.900 to us. 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.560 Remember 00:32:35.560 --> 00:32:36.120 when he tells 00:32:36.120 --> 00:32:36.800 this story, 00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:38.440 Jesus 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:40.259 is going 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.259 to the cross 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:42.680 so that we 00:32:42.680 --> 00:32:43.400 can call 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:44.580 his father 00:32:44.580 --> 00:32:46.539 our father. 00:32:47.840 --> 00:32:48.620 That's the 00:32:48.620 --> 00:32:49.460 context in 00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:49.860 which he 00:32:49.860 --> 00:32:50.840 tells his 00:32:50.840 --> 00:32:51.380 disciples 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:52.019 this. 00:32:52.600 --> 00:32:53.240 He's going 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.140 to the cross 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:54.800 so they 00:32:54.800 --> 00:32:55.340 can call 00:32:55.340 --> 00:32:56.460 his father 00:32:56.460 --> 00:32:58.020 their father 00:32:58.020 --> 00:32:59.759 and because 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.740 our heavenly 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:02.060 father chose 00:33:02.060 --> 00:33:02.759 to rescue 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.600 us and bring 00:33:03.600 --> 00:33:04.380 us into his 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.400 family at 00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:06.200 that great 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:06.800 cost, 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.400 that he would 00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:08.980 send his 00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:09.280 son. 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.800 Peter read it 00:33:10.800 --> 00:33:11.120 earlier. 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.140 If he would 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:12.920 send his 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:14.580 son for us, 00:33:14.580 --> 00:33:15.620 how much 00:33:15.620 --> 00:33:16.380 more will he 00:33:16.380 --> 00:33:17.360 along with him 00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:18.600 graciously 00:33:18.600 --> 00:33:19.640 give us 00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:21.000 all things. 00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:21.720 Friends, 00:33:21.780 --> 00:33:22.500 if he did 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.940 that at 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.620 your lowest 00:33:24.620 --> 00:33:25.220 point, 00:33:26.259 --> 00:33:27.820 you need 00:33:27.820 --> 00:33:28.460 never lose 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:29.820 heart or 00:33:29.820 --> 00:33:30.240 think he 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:30.600 will give 00:33:30.600 --> 00:33:31.259 up on you. 00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:32.240 Oh, 00:33:32.320 --> 00:33:32.720 how your 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:34.380 father wants 00:33:34.380 --> 00:33:35.100 to hear 00:33:35.100 --> 00:33:35.600 what you 00:33:35.600 --> 00:33:36.200 need, 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.120 how he 00:33:37.120 --> 00:33:38.300 desires to 00:33:38.300 --> 00:33:39.480 know your 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:39.920 heart, 00:33:40.300 --> 00:33:40.940 how your 00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:43.240 father longs 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:43.920 to come 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:45.100 and rescue 00:33:45.100 --> 00:33:45.600 you. 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:46.920 Let's pray. 00:33:46.920 --> 00:34:03.920 Father, 00:34:04.980 --> 00:34:05.539 as we 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:06.240 consider that 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.700 it could be 00:34:06.700 --> 00:34:07.519 possible that 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:07.920 you could 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:08.900 love like 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.200 that, 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:13.940 we confess 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.480 that it's 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.579 hard to find 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.220 a reason not 00:34:16.219 --> 00:34:16.939 to cry out 00:34:16.939 --> 00:34:17.259 to our 00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:17.619 father. 00:34:19.919 --> 00:34:20.919 For help 00:34:20.919 --> 00:34:22.559 when we're 00:34:22.559 --> 00:34:23.019 stuck, 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:26.559 for relief 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:28.219 from the 00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:28.739 sin and 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:29.739 the evil 00:34:29.739 --> 00:34:31.019 and the 00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.679 angst that 00:34:31.679 --> 00:34:32.599 attacks us, 00:34:32.919 --> 00:34:34.099 for revival 00:34:34.099 --> 00:34:35.419 in our hearts 00:34:35.419 --> 00:34:35.879 and in our 00:34:35.879 --> 00:34:37.119 church and 00:34:37.119 --> 00:34:37.399 in our 00:34:37.399 --> 00:34:38.500 world. 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:39.659 Oh, 00:34:39.699 --> 00:34:40.339 father, 00:34:41.939 --> 00:34:42.399 hear your 00:34:42.399 --> 00:34:42.799 children. 00:34:46.219 --> 00:34:47.379 thank you 00:34:47.379 --> 00:34:47.599 that as 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:47.939 much as 00:34:47.939 --> 00:34:48.359 we want 00:34:48.359 --> 00:34:48.659 to be 00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:49.239 like that, 00:34:49.919 --> 00:34:50.579 you want 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:50.879 us to 00:34:50.879 --> 00:34:51.319 be like 00:34:51.319 --> 00:34:52.739 that so 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:53.239 much more. 00:34:53.319 --> 00:34:53.559 Thank you 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.000 for showing 00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.399 me that 00:34:54.399 --> 00:34:54.980 this morning. 00:34:57.579 --> 00:34:58.119 Part of 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:58.480 us wants 00:34:58.480 --> 00:34:58.859 to be a 00:34:58.859 --> 00:34:59.199 dependent 00:34:59.199 --> 00:34:59.759 child, 00:35:00.619 --> 00:35:01.500 but those 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:01.839 of us who 00:35:01.839 --> 00:35:02.399 are parents 00:35:02.399 --> 00:35:02.859 know how 00:35:02.859 --> 00:35:03.519 we long 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.039 for our 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:04.779 children to 00:35:04.779 --> 00:35:05.339 come to 00:35:05.339 --> 00:35:05.739 us and 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:06.319 tell us 00:35:06.319 --> 00:35:07.279 what they 00:35:07.279 --> 00:35:07.599 need, 00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:08.099 what's going 00:35:08.099 --> 00:35:08.399 on in 00:35:08.399 --> 00:35:08.899 their hearts. 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:09.719 Oh, 00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.239 how much 00:35:10.239 --> 00:35:10.679 more does 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.299 our perfect 00:35:11.299 --> 00:35:11.719 father, 00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:13.759 thank you 00:35:13.759 --> 00:35:14.299 for inviting 00:35:14.299 --> 00:35:15.139 us back to 00:35:15.139 --> 00:35:15.579 you again 00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:16.139 this morning. 00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:19.539 Hear our 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:19.940 prayers. 00:35:22.339 --> 00:35:23.019 In Jesus' 00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:23.400 name, 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:23.719 amen. 00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.139 For more 00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:28.659 information, 00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:29.460 visit us 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:30.359 online at 00:35:30.359 --> 00:35:31.259 southwood.org.